With a preference for Frank Lewis, Mr. Grey, an old man who has a passion for collecting precious gems, disapproves of his niece's lover, Darrel ... More
With a preference for Frank Lewis, Mr. Grey, an old man who has a passion for collecting precious gems, disapproves of his niece's lover, Darrel Young. He is incensed at Dorothy's refusal to marry Lewis and threatens to disinherit her in his will. Dorkins, the butler, observes Mr. Grey's antipathy for Darrel Young and determines to take advantage of it in his purpose to rob his employer of his jewels. He sees the old man admiringly looking over his precious possessions as he casts greedy glances toward them. While Mr. Grey is thus engaged Darrel enters the library, and Grey puts the jewels in his desk. Darrel frankly asks Mr. Grey's consent to his marriage to Dorothy. The old man becomes very angry and threatens to strike Darrel, who defends himself by raising his hand as if to strike the old gentleman. While in this aggressive attitude a maid in one of the adjoining rooms sees Darrel's hand raised, and she hastily withdraws to inform her fellow workers of what she witnessed. Darrel lowers his hand without striking Mr. Grey, and indignantly takes his departure from the house. The butler has been watching the scene and immediately after the young man has gone he enters the room and seizes the jewels. Mr. Grey resists him, and Dorkins, grasping a sharp paper knife from the table, stabs the old man to death. Then he hastens to tell the other servants that he found his employer dead in the library. The police are notified. Suspicion, through the testimony of the maid, is fastened upon Darrel Young. Dorothy, hearing the maid's evidence, falls in a faint and is caught by the butler. The point of the knife which the butler hurriedly placed in the inside pocket of his coat penetrates Dorothy's shoulder and she utters a scream of pain, pointing toward the butler. The detectives seize him, tear open his coat and discover the blood-stained knife in his pocket, and the murder of Mr. Grey is fastened upon him. He is arrested, and Darrel's innocence is established. Written By Moving Picture World synopsisLess